Military Bowl® Updates

Command Sergeant Major John Troxell to serve as Grand Marshal of the Military Bowl Parade

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman, benefiting the USO, announced today that Command Sergeant Major John Troxell, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the senior non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Armed Forces, will be the Grand Marshal of the Military Bowl Parade on Monday, Dec. 28.

Led by the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the parade begins in downtown Annapolis near City Dock at 11 a.m. The route proceeds up Main Street before eventually working its way to Rowe Boulevard and concluding on Taylor Avenue adjacent to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

The Military Bowl between 21st-ranked Navy and Pitt begins at 2:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN. Tickets are available at militarybowl.org or by calling 888-841-2787. The box office will open at 11:30 a.m. on gameday.

“We are honored that Command Sergeant Major Troxell will join us to serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal,” Military Bowl President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “The parade has become a tradition for local residents and Military Bowl fans. We look forward to another great event this year.”

Troxell, 51, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1982 as an armored reconnaissance specialist and graduated One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Ky. He has been stationed in numerous units throughout his career and has served five combat tours of duty. Troxell was recently selected as the SEAC, where he serves as the principal military advisor to the Chairman and the Secretary of Defense on all matters involving joint and combined total force integration, utilization, health of the force and joint development for enlisted personnel.

In addition to the Clydesdales, the parade will feature bands, cheerleaders, color guards and other performers, as well as several recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor, which is given for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty. Also, the popular Washington Nationals Racing Presidents will join other mascots in the parade, including Poe from the Baltimore Ravens and Talon from D.C. United.

Mercedes-Benz of Annapolis is the official vehicle provider for the parade and WRNR-FM of Annapolis personalities will serve as announcers for the parade.

Parade spectators are encouraged to park in the Annapolis public parking garages: Gotts Court Parking Garage (25 Northwest Street), Knighton Parking Garage (1A Colonial Avenue), Park Place (5 Park Place). The Circulator trolley will run from Park Place Garage along West Street to downtown Annapolis at Church Circle, picking up people along the way. Fare will be $1.

The parade will conclude at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, where spectators can join the Official Tailgate Party that begins at 9 a.m. in the Blue Lot on the stadium’s west side. Admission to the tailgate also is free, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.

After the game, two trolleys will shuttle fans from the stadium to downtown Annapolis from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Pickup will be at the Department of Natural Resources building at the corner of Taylor Avenue and Herbert Sachs, and will take passengers to top of Main Street at Church Circle. There will be a charge of $1 each way for the trolley.

The Military BowlTM presented by Northrop Grumman kicks off for the eighth time on Dec. 28 at 2:30 p.m. ET at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, featuring a matchup between Navy and Pitt. Organized by the DC Bowl Committee, the Military Bowl serves as a premier regional event benefiting the USO and other organizations supporting members of the Armed Forces and their families. Since its inception in 2008, the Bowl has donated more than $500,000 to the USO and provided more than 25,000 complimentary tickets for troops and their families. For more information, please visit militarybowl.org.

About the USO

The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff. To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.